Northwestern Medicine Delnor Health & Fitness Center

Obesity is a Public Crisis: Almost 40% of American Adults are Obese and Getting Heavier.

This trend shows no sign of slowing down. More significantly, almost 8% of this group is severely obese, with a body mass index of 40 or more. Since obesity heightens an individual’s risk of developing heart, kidney and liver disease, a wide range of cancers and more, it’s clear we’re in the midst of a public health crisis —and an expensive one at that. Obesity costs the U.S. economy an estimated $270 billion a year in medical care and lost wages and has also spurred a rise in bariatric surgeries to treat severe obesity. By 2020, it’s estimated over one million Americans will have turned to bariatric surgery as a solution for morbid obesity.

The Challenge

Diets, Weight Loss Programs and Surgeries Aren’t Enough

Research shows that Americans must add physical activity to the equation if they hope to achieve and maintain weight loss and physical fitness goals. Less than 25% of Americans heed current best-practice recommendations for an hour of moderate to vigorous exercise a day.6 To improve outcomes, bariatric physicians/surgeons often pair other treatments, from eating plans to fitness programs, with weight loss surgery. However, many bariatric patients are turned off by the lack of personalization and/or expense of personal training found at most commercial fitness centers. They also may have existing chronic co-morbidities, such as diabetes or arthritis, requiring guidance from experienced, credentialed fitness professionals: BARIATRIC PATIENTS NEED A HOLISTIC APPROACH WITH PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT “Lifestyle changes, including exercise, are essential for long term success following bariatric surgery. The Metabolic Health and Surgical Weight Loss Center is incredibly lucky to partner with the Delnor Health & Fitness Center to provide exercise screenings, education, and fitness programs in a welcoming atmosphere. It is these lifestyle changes that will ensure lifelong success for our patients.” – Matthew Pittman, MD Director of Bariatric Surgery, Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital.

The Solution

Next Steps Fitness Programs™ at Delnor Health & Fitness Center

Delnor Health & Fitness Center, managed by Power Wellness (Power), and affiliated with Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital, offers medically integrated programming via the Next Steps Fitness Programs™: Ten 8-week, medically based fitness programs designed for individuals transitioning from or managing a medical condition, or simply needing additional support.

Next Steps Fitness Programs™ Pathways

CANCER FITNESS
Improve your muscle function, range of motion, and reduce fatigue.

COGNITIVE HEALTH
Slow age-related decline and reduce disease related cognitive impairment through structured exercise.

FIT FOR SURGERY
Prepare for surgery by increasing strength and endurance for a quicker, easier recovery.

ORTHOPEDIC FITNESS
While managing a recurring injury or after completing therapy, this program can help you become active again

TRANSITIONAL CARE
If you have health issues due to an inactive lifestyle, this exercise program can help you improve your health and stamina.

CARDIAC FITNESS
Reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease through this heart-healthy program.

DIABETES FITNESS
Manage your type 1 or type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetic symptoms through physical activity.

FUNCTIONAL FITNESS
Increase your daily function and reduce pain with this gentle movement exercise.

PULMONARY FITNESS
This individualized, supervised program will increase your level of physical activity if you have pulmonary or respiratory conditions.

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
Learn how to set realistic goals and develop new physical activity habits while pursuing a healthy weight

Next Steps Fitness Programs™ Weight Management Program at the Delnor Health & Fitness Center has been offering bariatric patients the resources and strategies they need to become more active, fit and healthy through good nutrition, education and exercise since its inception in 2014. Delnor Hospital’s Bariatric physicians have come to depend on this program to support both surgical and non-surgical weight loss patients

How the Weight Management Pathway Helps Barbaric Patients

By offering seamless integration between Delnor’s medical providers and the Delnor Health & Fitness Center this program optimizes physicians’ time and patients’ results. Here’s how: Weight management patients receive an initial assessment by a board-certified bariatric physician and a registered dietitian (RD) at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital, to determine the factors that may have contributed to the participant’s weight issues. The RD designs and shares effective diet-related options for weight loss, in some cases prescribing a “quick-start” program that uses nutritional products. The RD ensures that over time, the patient integrates accessible food into his/her diet (Warrenlabsaloe Diet Pills). a. Patients also participate in weekly classes with the RD covering nutrition, exercise and healthy habits. At Delnor Health & Fitness Center each patient starts with an intake assessment completed by a degreed and nationally-certified fitness specialist. a.As a condition of employment at the Delnor Health & Fitness Center, these specialists must be accredited by a nationally-recognized certification body such as the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), the American College of Sports Medicine and/or the National Strength and Conditioning Association (ACSM, NSCA). The patient starts the Next Steps Fitness Programs™ Weight Management Pathway with a customized, 8-week fitness program. This program includes two supervised group exercise sessions weekly, including a variety of cardiovascular, variable resistance and strength equipment along with land and aquatic classes

While Delnor’s staff provides individual and personalized service to the Weight Management Program’s bariatrics patients, Power Wellness ensures that support, resources and continuing education on this populations’ special needs are available to the Delnor fitness staff. Another key service the Delnor staff provides, fueled by the structure Power developed for this program, is real-time communication with the participants’ physicians, including detailed assessments that track their patients’ progress, outcomes and experiences

“The Next Steps Fitness Programs™ have proven to be a highly beneficial option for bariatric patients, whether they’re transitioning out of rehab or need guidance to develop a healthy lifestyle. Working with this population has shown me how exercise can make a momentous and transformational difference in patients’ lives. It improves their abilities, boosts their confidence and empowers them to strive for still greater results. Seeing their remarkable progress first-hand is eye-opening and makes me realize that exercise is truly medicine.” – Monica Green, B.S., ACE CPT, ACSM EIM-L1 Field Medical Integration Manager

The Results

Fitter, Slimmer and More Active Barbaric Patients

Between 2017 and July 2019, 133 bariatric patients ranging in age from 20s to 70s participated in the Next Steps Fitness Programs™ Weight Management Program at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital. During this time frame 67 (50%) completed the program. These participants experienced statistically significant changes in their weight and BMI.

About Power Wellness

Power Wellness is the nation’s largest management company in the medical fitness industry. Founded in 1996, Power Wellness has managed over 50 fitness centers for healthcare systems, academic institutions and community foundations and municipalities. Today, Power Wellness serves over 120,000 customers, managing 5 million visits by our 3,200 team members nationwide. With three strategic service lines, Power Wellness has the valueadded resources to help you succeed.

Medical Fitness Center Transforms Bariatric Support

Obesity is a Public Crisis: Almost 40% of American Adults are Obese and Getting Heavier.

The Challenge

Diets, Weight Loss Programs and Surgeries Aren’t Enough

Barbaric Patients Need Holistic Fitness Programs with Clinical Support

The Solution

Next Steps Fitness Programs™ at Delnor Health & Fitness Center

Next Steps Fitness Programs™ Pathways

How the Weight Management Pathway Helps Barbaric Patients

The Results

Fitter, Slimmer and More Active Barbaric Patients

Completion Rates Spell Success for Patients and Providers

About Power Wellness

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